Public Safety Reporter at Lee Enterprises Inc in Buffalo, New York

Job Description:

PUBLIC SAFETY WATCHDOG REPORTER

The Buffalo News, an award-winning news organization in New York's second-largest city, is seeking an experienced investigative journalist to report on public safety through a government accountability lens.

We're looking for an energetic and meticulous reporter who can uncover and break news by using data and public records to spot and track trends. While crime and the courts system are part of this beat, this beat will also explore public safety threats and emergency response.

The ideal candidate is passionate about serving the needs of the community through investigative reporting that answers key questions for residents and examines solutions to public safety issues. Stories reported by this watchdog journalist may include a look at strategies used across the country to combat auto theft or examine how local government and emergency personnel respond to weather emergencies.

This watchdog reporter will closely examine community safety efforts. Cultivating sources in local law enforcement and government agencies is vital in this position. Equally important will be developing sources in neighborhoods and communities that have been most affected by public safety approaches.

Key qualifications

• At least three years of investigative reporting experience
• Experience using Freedom of Information requests to obtain government records
• Ability to find and analyze data
• Proficiency in use of spreadsheets
• Multimedia experience, including video
• Experience in digital storytelling
• Clips that demonstrate perseverance and creativity in overcoming reporting obstacles; show an ability to cultivate sources; and demonstrate reporting on a variety of topics.

If you are the kind of reporter who doesn't stop asking questions after hearing "no comment"; who writes for the community, not sources; whoknocks on doors when people won't answer the phone, we want to hear from you.

We strive to hire talented and dedicated people who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Why Buffalo? The city has seen a resurgence that makes it an exciting time to work and live here. The region has professional sports teams, a philharmonic, a growing waterfront, Niagara Falls, beautiful hikes and ski slopes all within a short drive.

Why Join Us?

Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allow the flexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.

Lee Enterprises is a major subscription and advertising platform and a leading provider of local news and information, with daily newspapers, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 74 markets in 26 states. Year to date, Lee's newspapers have an average daily circulation of 1.0 million, and our legacy websites, including acquisitions, reach more than 34 million digital unique visitors.

Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a workforce whose diversity reflects the communities we serve. Lee embraces change, and we recognize that we must create and maintain a culture of fervent inclusion. For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply.
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